Do need user folder redirection if using a mandatory profile

[Kyle]

I have a mandatory profile that all the students are forced to use onthe network. the profile path is put in all the users properties dialogue box by a script.

Is there any need for me to redirect the dectop/application data folders via GPO now or is this still a good thing to do to stop the profile pulling across the network?

[FN-GM]

The logon times will be quicker if you have redirected folders. Also if you change something in the start menu it will do it instantly to all users if they are logged on if you get me.

[DMcCoy]

Redirected folders do need write permissions though (at least app data does), one big advantage of mandatory is that its copied locally, writeable and then changes are lost at logout.

[torledo]

I would do as per FN... suggests redirect start menu and desktop to boot.
Not a bad idea to redirect My documents aswell. But that's all you really need to do, and take advantage of the power of mandatory profiles for all other user data.

[djones]

Is saving of bookmarks possible with a mandatory profile? I seem to remember trying it in the past and it not being possible or have I missed something?

[FN-GM]

I am 97% sure you can't the setting delete as you log of. There is no folder redirection for bookmarks either.

[djones]

Thought so :-(

Will redirecting the Application Data folder enable Outlook settings (for example) to 'roam' with a user? We have TAs that will be using desktop PCs to access their email / school diary and won't always use the same one - unlike teachers who will use their laptops.

I did see a favorites group policy redirect ADM file, which redirects favs to thier redirected folders. have a search here
its what we do and it allows students to have thier favs wherever they login but i have found you cant add any favs for them via GP

[djones]

Hmmm, I think I'd want both - their own and ones applied from GPO - typical! 'Cake...and...eat' springs to mind!

[maniac]

Is saving of bookmarks possible with a mandatory profile? I seem to remember trying it in the past and it not being possible or have I missed something?

You can change the location the favourites are saved by editing the ntuser.man file in the mandatory profile. I point mine at H:\favourites. It automatically creates the folder, and allows all users to create and manage their own favourites list.

Mike.

[john]

I did see a favorites group policy redirect ADM file, which redirects favs to thier redirected folders. have a search here
its what we do and it allows students to have thier favs wherever they login but i have found you cant add any favs for them via GP

Hmmm I thought I had that working correctly at one point, they appeared in 2 blocks, my GPO ones at the bottom and theres above, but I could have been dreaming.

[Michael]

That's the one downfall of mandatory profiles and that's Favourites. With XP it needs to be redirected/modified (as above), however with Windows Vista policies this is standard using Folder Redirection.